About | The Grasshopper Bar — Our Story & Team

The Grasshopper Bar interior with dim lighting, plush green booths, and signature cocktails

The Name

The grasshopper is one of the more underrated classic cocktails — a minty after-dinner drink known for its vibrant green color, made with equal parts crème de menthe, crème de cacao, and cream. We chose this name because it perfectly captured the spirit we wanted to convey: bringing attention to what is often ignored or underappreciated.

Since opening in November 2023, we have been on a mission to transform hyperlocal Filipino ingredients into cocktail gold. What started as a quiet passion project on C. Palanca Street in Legazpi Village has grown into one of Makati's most talked-about destinations for craft cocktails.

Walk down Carlos Palanca Street and you might miss us entirely. We are only indicated by a lone, brass gold grasshopper figure on the building facade. Step inside and you will find a cozy, dim-lit 65-seater venue designed for intimate conversations and great drinks.

Our Philosophy

We look at ingredients as icons of culture, the way Japan brought yuzu and matcha into the global spotlight.

Hyperlocal Sourcing

We carry underrated, local ingredients from provinces across the Philippines. From the vinegar-rich traditions of Ilocos to the rare Tultul salt of Guimaras Island, every ingredient tells a story of Filipino terroir.

Classic Roots, Filipino Soul

We take a classic cocktail and reinvent it with a Filipino twist. Replace lime with green mango. Use local regional salt and vinegar. Introduce sakurab, a type of allium used in Maranao cuisine, or sampaguita water from the national flower.

The Vinegar Map

Our menu features a vinegar flavor map showcasing the Philippines' rich vinegar produce — from sukang Ilocos, paumbong, and tuba to many more regional varieties. Each vinegar brings a distinct character to our cocktails.

Approachable Craft

Our lineup is simple and deeply rooted in culture. Every drink on the menu has tasting notes and a full breakdown of ingredients, arranged from lightest to strongest, so you always know exactly what you are drinking.

The Team

Award-winning bartenders and passionate owners working together to celebrate Filipino flavors.

Kenneth Bandivas

Bartender

Award-winning bartender whose creative vision drives the innovative cocktail program at The Grasshopper Bar.

Abby Quilal-lan

Managing Partner & Bartender

Managing partner who brings both operational expertise and bartending artistry to every aspect of the bar.

Lester Ligon

Bartender

Award-winning bartender whose deep knowledge of Filipino ingredients shapes the bar's signature offerings.

Marc & Tiffany Sy

Owners

The visionary owners who brought The Grasshopper Bar to life, creating a space where Filipino culture meets cocktail craft.

About The Grasshopper Bar